Chapter 2
Holmes Reads Watson’s Thoughts
II. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box
He laughed heartily (開懷地)
at my perplexity (困惑).
This is the end of Paragraph 1.
“You remember,”
he said,
“that some little time ago
when I read you
the passage (段落)
in one of Poe’s sketches
in which a close reasoner (縝密的 推理者)
follows the unspoken (未說出口的) thoughts
of his companion,
you were inclined (傾向)
to treat the matter
as a mere tour-de-force (炫技 之作)
of the author.
On my remarking (指出)
that I was constantly (經常)
in the habit (習慣)
of doing the same thing
you expressed incredulity (不信).”
This is the end of Paragraph 2.
“Oh, no!”
“Perhaps not
with your tongue,
my dear Watson,
but certainly (確實)
with your eyebrows (眉毛).
So when I saw you
throw down your paper
and enter upon
a train (一連串) of thought,
I was very happy
to have the opportunity (機會)
of reading it off,
and eventually (最終)
of breaking into it,
as a proof (證明)
that I had been
in rapport (默契)
with you.”
This is the end of Paragraph 3.
But I was still
far from satisfied (滿意).
“In the example (例子)
which you read to me,”
said I,
“the reasoner (推理者)
drew his conclusions (結論)
from the actions (行為)
of the man
whom he observed (觀察).
If I remember right,
he stumbled (絆倒)
over a heap (一堆)
of stones,
looked up
at the stars,
and so on.
But I have been
seated quietly
in my chair,
and what clues (線索)
can I have given you?”
This is the end of Paragraph 4.
“You do yourself
an injustice (委屈).
The features (五官)
are given to man
as the means (手段)
by which he shall express
his emotions (情感),
and yours
are faithful (忠實的) servants.”
This is the end of Paragraph 5.
“Do you mean
to say
that you read
my train of thoughts
from my features?”
“Your features
and especially (尤其)
your eyes.
Perhaps you cannot yourself
recall how
your reverie (遐想；出神)
commenced (開始)?”
“No, I cannot.”
This is the end of Paragraph 6.
“Then I will tell you.
After throwing down your paper,
which was the action
which drew my attention
to you,
you sat
for half a minute
with a vacant (茫然的) expression (表情).
Then your eyes
fixed themselves
upon your newly
framed (新裝框的) picture
of General Gordon,
and I saw
by the alteration (變化)
in your face
that a train of thought
had been started.
But it did not
lead very far.
Your eyes flashed across
to the unframed (未裝框) portrait
of Henry Ward Beecher
which stands
upon the top
of your books.
Then you glanced up
at the wall,
and of course
your meaning
was obvious (顯而易見的).
You were thinking
that if the portrait
were framed
it would just cover
that bare space
and correspond (相對應)
with Gordon’s picture
over there.”
This is the end of Paragraph 7.
“You have followed me
wonderfully (出色地)!”
I exclaimed.
“So far
I could hardly
have gone astray (走偏).
But now
your thoughts
went back
to Beecher,
and you looked hard
across
as if you were studying
the character (性格)
in his features.
Then your eyes
ceased to pucker (皺起),
but you continued
to look across,
and your face
was thoughtful (若有所思的).
You were recalling (回想)
the incidents (事蹟)
of Beecher’s career.
I was well aware
that you could not do this
without thinking
of the mission (使命)
which he undertook (承擔)
on behalf of the North (北方 聯邦)
at the time
of the Civil War (美國 內戰),
for I remember
your expressing
your passionate (強烈的) indignation (憤慨)
at the way
in which he was received
by the more turbulent (暴躁的)
of our people.
You felt so strongly
about it
that I knew
you could not think
of Beecher
without thinking
of that also.
When a moment later
I saw your eyes
wander away
from the picture,
I suspected
that your mind
had now turned
to the Civil War,
and when I observed (注意到)
that your lips set,
your eyes sparkled (發亮),
and your hands clenched (握緊),
I was positive (深信)
that you were indeed
thinking of the gallantry (英勇)
which was shown
by both sides
in that desperate (慘烈的)
struggle (鬥爭).
But then, again,
your face
grew sadder;
you shook your head.
You were dwelling (沉浸)
upon the sadness (悲傷)
and horror (恐怖)
and useless (無謂的) waste (浪費)
of life.
Your hand stole (不自覺地 移向)
towards your own old wound,
and a smile quivered (顫動)
on your lips,
which showed me
that the ridiculous (可笑的) side
of this method
of settling international (國際的)
questions (事務)
had forced itself
upon your mind.
At this point
I agreed with you
that it was preposterous (荒謬的)
and was glad
to find
that all my deductions (推論)
had been correct.”
This is the end of Paragraph 8.
“Absolutely!”
said I.
“And now
that you have explained it,
I confess (承認)
that I am
as amazed (驚訝)
as before.”
This is the end of Paragraph 9.